Unlocking MacOS with Apple Watch not consistent

[MitzEclipse]

Hello

I am an AW8 9.3.1, MacBook Air M1 2020 on Ventura 13.2.1 (22D68) and iPhone 11 on 16.3.1. Unlocking the MBA with the AW8 is not consistent. Sometimes it unlocks automatically and it works like magic. Sometimes the "unlock with apple watch" is not even present and just asks for my MacOS password. And sometimes it shows "unlocking with apple watch" and keeps on spinning (wait up to a min and does not open).

I have unpaired and re-paired with my iPhone. I have re-logged into iCloud on all 3 devices, on the same account of course. I am on the same wifi network and l am not on low power mode. I have also turned on and off and back on the setting in Ventura "use apple watch to unlock your applications and your Mac.

Any suggestions please?

 

[chabig]

macOS measures proximity. The watch needs to be pretty close to the computer. But even then, it won't always work. When circumstances aren't perfect, Apple prefers the secure option and won't unlock using the Watch. Then just touch your finger to the TouchID sensor to unlock.

 

[MitzEclipse]

My watch is basically on top of the MacBook Air touching it - can’t get any closer. Where is the sensor on the MacBook Air?

 

[Smoothie]

macOS measures proximity. The watch needs to be pretty close to the computer. But even then, it won't always work. When circumstances aren't perfect, Apple prefers the secure option and won't unlock using the Watch. Then just touch your finger to the TouchID sensor to unlock.

I don't know about proximity being necessary. Sometimes, I'll be ten feet away from my sleeping iMac when my watch unlocks it when I'm not looking to do so. I've experienced the inconsistency of watch unlock for a long time. Sometimes it won't unlock when I'm sitting right in front of the iMac. I assumed it was some sort of security measure to require you to login with your password occasionally. It seems to be a little buggy.

 

[MitzEclipse]

Pretty crap experience - unfortunate as it's supposed to "just work"

 

[Mikeske]

I have to wonder if some sort of interference is happening something like a older garage door opener and LED light flicker interferes with the remotes

 

[jabbawok]

I guess it uses Bluetooth for proximity and Wi-Fi to handshake, similar to the Tesla phone unlock. I’ve found it extremely inconsistent. It’s worse with my i5 Mac mini than any of my MacBooks. But the mini has notoriously bad Bluetooth, so it’s not surprising.

 

[MitzEclipse]

I have to wonder if some sort of interference is happening something like a older garage door opener and LED light flicker interferes with the remotes

I don't have a garage and no other remotes in the house being used (only have a TV and apple TV remote, both not in use)

 

[Vundu]

Apart from the first time after a reboot (which is by design) mine works 100% of the time.

Are any other devices close by that could be interfering with the signal or something?

 

[Jack Neill]

I had a lot of troubles with it on Monterey but Ventura has been pretty consistent.

 

[MitzEclipse]

these are the only devices in the room - i only have one macbook, phone and watch - that's literally it.

 

[curdy]

I don't know about proximity being necessary. Sometimes, I'll be ten feet away from my sleeping iMac when my watch unlocks it when I'm not looking to do so. I've experienced the inconsistency of watch unlock for a long time. Sometimes it won't unlock when I'm sitting right in front of the iMac. I assumed it was some sort of security measure to require you to login with your password occasionally. It seems to be a little buggy.

I don't think proximity is the issue as I've experienced similar circumstances. My cats will walk on my wireless Apple Magic Keyboard for my Mac Mini and if I was wearing my Apple Watch, it would unlock the Mac Mini upon my cats waking it up with the keyboard, no matter where I was in my place. I've since turned off the Unlock with Apple Watch function on that Mac as they often walk on my desk. It does work as it should with my MacBook Pro though, however my Apple Watch is always almost on the keyboard in those instances.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Hello

I am an AW8 9.3.1, MacBook Air M1 2020 on Ventura 13.2.1 (22D68) and iPhone 11 on 16.3.1. Unlocking the MBA with the AW8 is not consistent. Sometimes it unlocks automatically and it works like magic. Sometimes the "unlock with apple watch" is not even present and just asks for my MacOS password. And sometimes it shows "unlocking with apple watch" and keeps on spinning (wait up to a min and does not open).

I have unpaired and re-paired with my iPhone. I have re-logged into iCloud on all 3 devices, on the same account of course. I am on the same wifi network and l am not on low power mode. I have also turned on and off and back on the setting in Ventura "use apple watch to unlock your applications and your Mac.

Any suggestions please?

If it’s asking for your password, it’s going to need your password. If it’s asking for Touch ID, then the AW should unlock it.

 

[whitby]

I have 4 Macs I setup to unlock with my AW Ultra (M2 MBA, M1 Max 16” MBPro, M1 24” iMac and 2020 27” iMac) and it is so hit and miss I gave up and disabled it. The trouble is that once set up it wastes time trying to use the Watch, so the log in process is slowed down. Once I removed the option, Touch ID and sign in worked fine and was quicker. One of those nice to haves but totally useless Apple ideas.